A look back at the operators flying the Airbus A310 in 2024

The Airbus A310 first took to the skies on April 3, 1982, making the type 42 years old this year. Despite ending production in 2007, the A310 continues to be used in all areas of aviation, from passenger aircraft to military aircraft.

Although many new successors have been introduced in the twin-engine widebody sector, the A310 continues to live on today as a passenger, cargo, and military aircraft around the world.Take a look at the current jet operators

Few A310s are in passenger service

The Airbus A310 was replaced by the A330 during the 1990s, offering similar passenger capacity but with longer range and improved efficiency. However, a small number of airlines have maintained their A310s for a long time and it’s not always an option.data from channel airlines It shows that 17 aircraft are still in operation, operated by 8 operating companies.

As of February 2024, the only remaining passenger transport airlines with Airbus A310s are Iran Air Tours, Yazd Air, and Ariana Afghanistan Airlines. Iran Air Tours Airlines, like other Iran-based airlines, has faced decades of sanctions from Western countries, making it unable to purchase new aircraft. Ariana is in the same situation, clinging to an old plane as the country weathers the crisis.

Iran Airtour Airlines currently operates two A310-300 aircraft, with the remaining two currently out of service. EP-MDP is his youngest aircraft at just under 26 years old, while EP-MDK has been in service for just over 32 years.

Ariana Afghan Airlines similarly has two active A310 aircraft (in this case the A310-300). The YA-CAV is almost 35 years old and is the oldest A310 still in service as a passenger aircraft. The second aircraft, his YA-FGF, has been in operation for almost 33 years.

Yazd Air is an emerging airline (starting operations in 2022) based in Yazd, Iran. Currently, only one A310 (over 34 years old) operates domestic and regional flights. He also has one BAe 146 among just two aircraft.

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The airline joins other airlines in the country struggling to procure additional aircraft due to restrictions.

Other recent passenger operators

Iran Air and Mahan Air have also recently become important passenger operators, and their aircraft may return to service. Iran Air operated three A310 aircraft in 2022, but these are currently listed as grounded, with two in storage and one undergoing maintenance.

Photo: Fasttailwind I Shutterstock

These aircraft are believed to be grounded as a result of sanctions and difficulties in sourcing and repairing parts. A number of other Airbus aircraft have also been grounded, and the company has announced plans to return the planes to service in mid-2023 with new-found domestic maintenance capabilities. At the time, the airline was aiming to have seven aircraft in service through 2023, but the company still operates the A300 (with four in service in 2024).

Photo: Bjorn Vilasic | Shutterstock

Mahan Airlines is also in a difficult situation, with six A310s and three A300s out of service.

A310 for cargo and civilian use

As is often the case with older aircraft, the aging A310 continues to find a market in cargo planes and commercial operations. Turkey’s ULS Airlines operates three A310Fs, including on behalf of major airlines such as Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways.

Photo: Adomas Daunoravicius I Shutterstock

Until recently, Royal Jordanian operated one A310-300F, but it is currently grounded, with ch-aviation estimating a retirement date of February 2024. Having been in service for over 36 years, he is one of the oldest remaining intact aircraft.

Some civilian A310s still remain in the air, including one operated by Saudi VIP aircraft provider Al Asir Aviation. Registered as HZ-NSA, his 35.6-year-old twin jet features a luxurious configuration with just 43 seats.

Photo: Airbus

However, the A310 is not only used in civilian operations. Since the early 2000s, Airbus has been providing governments with A310MRTs and MRTTs (Multi-Role Tanker/Transporters). Although the MRT is a standard transport aircraft for cargo, passenger, or medical missions, the MRTT has some unique features.

military A310

The first A310MRTT remains with Airbus as a demonstration aircraft for customers. The Royal Canadian Air Force operates three of these specialized aircraft, as well as one standard A310-300 and one A310-300F. Meanwhile, the Spanish Air Force operates two standard A310-300s with 167 seats.

Photo: Takrein | Shutterstock

What makes the MRTT special is its ability to provide air-to-air refueling to other jets. The system allows up to 40 tons of fuel to be transferred from one plane to another, managing the center of gravity throughout the process. Given this strategic importance, Airbus is proposing the conversion of the standard A310 and MRT to MRTT.

What do you think about the Airbus A310? Have you ever flown the type? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below.